Calabasas or La Canada (Glendale, Pasadena: house, safe neighborhoods, schools)

[tspoir]

What city would be better for families with kids? And why?

[CA4Now]

Where do you work?

[ccm123]

I worked for years in Calabasas and commuted from/lived in La Crescenta (just west of La Canada) and know both areas pretty well. Both are very nice and safe neighborhoods and both are family oriented. The median age in La Canada is older and La Canada’s median income is slightly higher.

I found Calabasas to have a more “isolated” feel and I found La Canada to be closer to areas and amenities that I wanted to be closer to, such as Downtown LA, Pasadena, Glendale, etc. La Canada has a more “old money” feel and mentality. The housing stock in La Canada is also older.

It would depend ultimately on where your job is and where you want to be close to.

[BOORGONG]

If I left Canada for California, I would choose La Canada, just for kicks. I would send lots of postcards to my family and friends and when the joke got old, I would sell the house and come back to Canada.

I think I'll just visit, it's cheaper and less of a fuss.

[volosong]

I worked at JPL, (actually inside the La Cañada/Flintridge city boundaries), for 34 years, retiring a few years ago. La Cañada, hands down. Main reason, the quality of the schools. Best in the area.

But Calabasas is cool too. A lot closer to the beaches and Ventura.

[NORTY FLATZ]

La Canada/Flintridge is at the foot of the mountains. If you like to hike, then this "outdoorsy" area would work. Don't be surprised if a black bear swims in your pool, though...

Calabasas? Very close to Cornell Calif. (Look it up.) LOTS of fun roads to PCH.

Say Hi to Leno on Sunday. (He still owes me $20 for lunch!) Rock Store...

[laviachi]

I know both areas well. Having recently worked in Calabasas -- it does feel isolated and removed. Also really hot in the summer and cold in the winter. And traffic during rush hours -- whether on the 101 or interior streets -- is always crowded. In fact, the traffic is worse today than three years ago. And does not have a center per se - there is old town Calabasas and Caruso shopping center but it is disjointed. La Canada would be my choice. It has a little downtown with Target, Sprouts, Trader, Joes, etc. and adjoining Montrose area. It has great schools and strong family/community-orientation. And it is more central to other areas. Again, at the end of the day, it really depends on where you work. But strong preference for La Canada.